Fans can expect some changes at Ohio State home games this football season

Patrick Cooley @PatrickACooley

Thursday

Aug 29, 2019 at 1:38 PMAug 30, 2019 at 7:12 AM

Ohio Stadium, the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, is set for changes for fans this year, including better internet access and more venues to buy concessions.

Ohio State is scheduled to take the field for the first regular-season home game at noon Saturday against Florida Atlantic University.

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Here are a few of the changes that fans can expect:

• Wireless access at the stadium has been notoriously unreliable on game days, but the university recently finished Wi-Fi enhancements meant to improve internet access during games. Wireless connectivity is expected to be ready for the season opener. The work is part of an $18.6 million effort to upgrade Wi-Fi across campus that is scheduled to conclude in 2020.

• Student tickets are now delivered electronically, and students must display the tickets on their smartphones to enter the stadium. Ohio State previously phased out "print at home" tickets over counterfeiting concerns.

"Students who absolutely need a hard ticket must request one in person at the Ohio State ticket office located at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, or at Ohio Stadium on game day," said Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig.

• Cannon Drive is now open in an effort to improve traffic flow after the game, although drivers exiting Route 315 onto Medical Center Drive will face restrictions prior to kickoff. Cannon Drive snakes around the west side of the stadium and was closed to vehicle traffic the previous two seasons.

• Soft drinks will now be sold in refillable souvenir mugs, and refill stations will be available throughout the stadium. The stadium also added several self-serve drink and snack stations featuring "grab and go" coolers and kiosks where fans can pay. Traditional concession stands will still be available. Iron Grill BBQ, Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Wicked Lobstah and Chicky Chicky Waffle are among the new concession options.

• Games will now feature a DJ before and during the game.

"We think it is important to note that the Ohio State marching band will perform as much at the games, if not more than, it has in the past. Nothing is changing there," Emig said. "But now we’re bringing in a professional who will mix shorter songs and more current songs for the players and our students to create a high-energy atmosphere, primarily for pregame warmups."

• Starting this season, fans will have the chance to buy game-day experiences such as stadium tours, pictures at midfield and messages on the big board using the Ohio State Buckeyes app.

pcooley@dispatch.com

@PatrickACooley

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